AARP reports that generic costs decreased last year by 10 percent

NEW YORK Generic prescription drug prices decreased by 10 percent last year, the American Association of Retired Persons stated in a report.

AARP reported that while the prices of most drugs remained the same, and nine had increased in price, 43 had price decreases by as much as 70 percent. The organization surveyed 185 drugs.

“As the economy continues to tighten, people need to look for cost-savings at every opportunity,” said John Rother, AARP’s director of public policy, in an e-mailed statement. “Often more expensive, brand-name drugs aren’t necessarily any more effective than the generic ‘cousins’ that you won’t see advertised on TV.”